Case Study: Valeo Foods €88 Million European Sale Leaseback

Ascension Advisory partnered with Valeo Foods, a portfolio company owned by Bain Capital, to execute a multi-country sale leaseback transaction across key European manufacturing locations. Valeo Foods is a large European food group with a diverse range of well-known consumer brands and a long operating history across Europe. 

The transaction involved a portfolio of mission-critical food production and distribution facilities in the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, totaling 1,354,721  square feet situated on 58 acres. The portfolio was acquired by W. P. Carey for a total sale price of approximately €88 million. 

Objective

The objective was to bring a high-quality, mission-critical industrial portfolio to market in a way that accurately reflected the operational importance of the facilities within Valeo Foods’ platform. Key attributes that made the portfolio attractive to investors included long-established manufacturing and distribution operations supporting multiple well-known consumer brands, significant on-site investment in equipment and infrastructure, strategic geographic positioning, and stable production capabilities deeply integrated into the company’s supply chain. By presenting these operational strengths clearly and consistently, Ascension positioned the portfolio to appeal to institutional sale leaseback investors with interest in essential-use industrial assets.

Solution

Ascension Advisory led the full sale leaseback process from initial evaluation through closing, beginning with a detailed review of each facility’s role within Valeo Foods’ broader production and distribution network. The team coordinated extensive cross-border diligence across the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, ensuring that data, documentation, and communication remained organized and transparent for all parties involved. Ascension targeted a curated group of institutional investors known for their experience with international industrial portfolios and ultimately selected the winning bidder. Working closely with Valeo Foods and W. P. Carey, Ascension managed the structuring of long-term lease agreements that supported operational continuity for the various businesses. The team also oversaw environmental, legal, and regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction, maintaining alignment between local requirements and investor expectations. This methodical approach ensured that the portfolio was accurately represented and that the transaction proceeded efficiently from start to finish.

Outcome

The portfolio sold to W. P. Carey for €88 million. The transaction connected a strong operator in Valeo Foods with a net-lease investor with deep experience in mission-critical industrial real estate. The successful closing demonstrates Ascension Advisory’s capability to execute large-scale, multi-country industrial sale leaseback portfolios with precision, confidentiality, and alignment.